A new dinuclear terbium complex as a novel luminescence probe for detecting amines

• Preparation of a new dinuclear terbium complex with determined structure.
• The complex acts as an amine probe with sensitive and high selectivity.
• Quantitative relationship between amines concentration and luminescent intensity.

A strong green-light-emitting Tb complex [Tb2(csal)6(H2O)4]·4H2O (1) (Hcsal = 4-chlorosalicylicacid) has been synthesized. The structure was determined by single crystal X-ray diffraction. 1 exhibits a discrete dinuclear structure which is further assembled into a 3D supramolecular network by hydrogen bonding and aromatic π−π stacking interactions. This complex was used to detect ethylenediamine (EDA), triethylamine (TEA) and ethanolamine (EOA), the relationship between luminescence intense of 1 and concentrate of EDA or TEA can be fitted in Stern–Volmer equation. The results indicate that 1 is a promising probe for detecting amines with high selectivity and sensitivity.

Significant change in luminescent intensity after adding amines.Figure optionsDownload as PowerPoint slide